Rodgers looks for Suarez boost

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hopes the return of striker Luis Suarez, who he has described as champing at the bit, will provide a timely boost after their first setback of the season.

Having topped the Barclays Premier League table with a 100% record after three matches the Reds dropped points in a draw at Swansea before losing at home to Southampton on the weekend.

They head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, however, with Suarez back in the squad after serving his 10-match suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in April.

"I think having someone of that quality back in your squad gives everyone a lift," said Rodgers.

"I don't think there will be any more or less (desire to do well) to be honest.

"It was a really difficult time for him because (although) he loves his training but he plays for the game and as a striker he wants to get goals so it really hurt him the period he was out.

"Everyone supported him: the club, the players the staff were behind to help in his rehabilitation and get his football fitness up and support him in every way we possibly could knowing when he comes back we get the same player."

Rodgers has no concerns about the 26-year-old's physical fitness or his mental strength to be thrown straight back into the fray against their arch-rivals on a ground where he is sure to receive a hostile welcome.

"We have been preparing him for this moment for a number of weeks," said the Reds boss.

"You never get the full match fitness until you are playing and you have the crowd and everything but one of the things which has astounded me about him since I've been here has been his physicality.

"This is a guy who has travelled all around the world internationally, played games, came back and I assessed him and thought he might be a bit tired but I put him into the next game and he scored a hat-trick at Wigan.

"He is a real robust character and his biggest quality is his desire and commitment.

"He comes back into the reckoning now and what he will do now is give it 100% and I am sure after a few games he will get right back up to speed again

"But from what I have seen in the training, all the extra work he has put in and all the game time he has been able to collate over the last few weeks, he has had a good preparation to come back."